asked the Minister for Lands if he is satisfied with the type of shelters provided for forestry workers all over Ireland; and whether he has any plans (a) for improving the type of shelter and (b) for providing heating facilities in them.
89.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Workers' Shelters.
88.
asked the Minister for Lands if he is satisfied with the shelters provided for forestry workers in the Clonaslee area, County Laois.
90.
asked the Minister for Lands if he proposes to erect a new forestry hut at the Cut, Mountrath, County Laois, in view of the fact that the present shelter there is in very poor condition.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 89 and 90 together.
Shelter for the workmen at Clonaslee forest is provided by three standard type portable wooden huts, two of which are at present located at the Cut property of the forest.
The huts are in good condition and the question of replacement does not at present arise.
In general I am satisfied that adequate shelter is provided for workmen by the standard-type huts available, and no basic design or other changes are at present envisaged. It is not intended to provide heating facilities in the huts.
Is the Minister not aware that the trade union representatives of forestry workers for a number of years, and particularly in the last 12 months, have been trying to impress on the Forestry Division the necessity for providing an improved type of hut particularly one in which heating can be installed? Would the Minister try to arrange that direct negotiations be carried out to see if this is really necessary because in the recent cold weather the pressure is increasing to have this done?
I am not so aware.
Perhaps the Minister would inquire from the officials in the Forestry Division?
I am not so aware. Is this to have them heated?
To have some different type of hut provided and to have heating installed. I know because I have written dozens of the letters.
But this is about heating.
Mainly for an improved hut and for heating.
I think the huts themselves are all right.
Some are but a lot of them are too small. What about the heating?
Sin ceist eile.
Tá Sé sa ceist sin.
But is ceist eile é as far as the Deputy's supplementary is concerned. I said in my reply that it was not intended to supply heating facilities because these huts are intended to be used in general for very brief periods.
If it starts to rain or snow and men have to remain in the huts from, say ten in the morning until lunch time, and have their lunch there, surely the Minister will agree that some type of heating should be provided because otherwise it is impossible to remain on the job and they may just leave it?
I will look at it.
Pardon?
I will think about it.
All right, if the Minister will I will be satisfied.